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Denver Nuggets Coach Malone Disappointed in Win Against Clippers—Poor Defense

By Charles Murray

March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone coaches during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone coaches during the second half against the Boston Celtics at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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Offense is consistant. Now, Defense.
Mar 4, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) reacts with guard Gary Harris (14) after a play in the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

“It’s a win, we’ll take it. I thought our defense was awful, to be honest. Fourth quarter they shot 80%; second half they shot 60%… we have to create good habits and our defense the second half was not where it needs to be moving forward.”…Coach Malone.

It’s hard to argue with a victory. It’s hard to argue with 35 individual points, a career high, from the Snake, Will Barton. It’s hard to argue with Nikola Jokic’s 5th triple double, tying all-time great David Robinson for the most triple doubles of any center in NBA history. It’s hard to argue with a dominant Nugget win, 129-114 over the #5 Power Ranked team in the NBA.

Both teams were without their stars, but it was evident that Denver’s offensive depth and home plate more than compensated.

No Danilo Gallinari, no Wilson Chandler, no Darrelle Arthur for the Nuggs; no problem.

No Blake Griffin, no DeAndre Jordan for the Clippers; big problem.

It was good to have Kenneth Faried’s energy back on the court. When the Manimal scored and fell to the floor on his drive, every Nugget on the court rushed to him, to make sure he was okay, and offered their hands to help him get off the floor. Sweet.

But there was little real defense for either team. The Nuggets shot 54% from the field, 54% from threes. The Clippers shot 52% from the field, 50% from threes.

Very little trapping, very little pressure; when a guard was shooting against Nikola or Mason Plumlee, all our centers could muster was a perfunctory hand up which J.J. Reddick or Chris Paul easily scored over. No anticipation, no pressure. They need to be on the ball!

This won’t work with James Harden, who, if he scores 40, will upset the Pepsi Center crowd. It should be a packed Pepsi Center Saturday night. Don’t let them down with poor defense.

This is a fun, exciting high pace Nuggets, great for a crucial win, great for an excited Pepsi Center, great for Will Barton. Now get assists Will; be a complete guard.

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